Walmart Stores, the world’s largest retailer, says it has removed all products bearing the Confederate flag from its stores.

The Guardian view on the Confederate flag: tear down this red rag | Editorial

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In the wake of the Charleston church shootings, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley announced on Monday that she would take steps to remove the Confederate battle flag that has flown on the statehouse grounds for more than 50 years.

Hours afterwards, Walmart said all items connected to the flag had been taken off sale.

“We never want to offend anyone with the products that we offer. We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment, whether in our stores or on our website,” Walmart spokesman Brian Nick told CNN.

“We have a process in place to help lead us to the right decisions when it comes to the merchandise we sell. Still, at times, items make their way into our assortment improperly – this is one of those instances.”

On Monday evening, various confederate flag-branded items were still visible on the Walmart website, although most were listed as out of stock and were not able to be purchased.

The suspect in the shooting, Dylann Roof, who has been charged with nine counts of murder, was linked to online manifestos expounding racism, accompanied by pictures of him holding the flag.

On Monday, Haley won widespread support after she abandoned her previous stance on the flying of the flag in the grounds of the capitol building and called for it to go.

“We are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it’s time to remove the flag from the capitol grounds,” Haley said. “One hundred and fifty years after the end of the civil war, the time has come.”

Jeb Bush, the Republican presidential hopeful, tweeted his support for Haley’s move. Although other potential candidates had been more cautious on the issue, several followed suit on Monday evening, with Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, Ohio governor John Kasich, and Texas governor Rick Perry all tweeting their backing for Haley.